Favorite Spin-N-Glows or Plugs for Plunking Winter Steelhead?

[ChromeFiend]

Hey All,

I am new to Plunking but would like to get out a few times this year when the water is high. I am curious to hear what experienced plunking anglers prefer for size and colors when it comes to spin-n-glows or plugs?

[ktowle]

I've always found that color doesn't matter. Size should be matched with hooks / bait such that the presentation has buoyancy. Too small of hooks relative to spin-n-glow size and you will not get hook up. Too large of hooks and your stuff will sink to the bottom.

[Jakefish]

For cloudy water, go ugly - clown patterns are good, and black wings. I like the pink/chrome tiger stripe for clearer water, and the pink/black clown for cloudy water, or the frog pattern. In clear conditions go small and peach with white wings.

[Speedbird 48]

What sort of rods should you use for plunking?

[Jakefish]

What sort of rods should you use for plunking?

The rods that are specifically made for plunking tend to be long and fairly heavy, so they can easily cast the weight you need to get you presentation to stick on the bottom. This varies dramatically by river, but on the Fraser river, it is not uncommon to use a full pound of lead! I personally wouldn't much like to fight a fish with that much weight, but I have gone as heavy as 8 ounces. With that in mind, you also need a long enough rod to be able to chuck that big chunk of lead out to where the fish are. I prefer 10 & 1/2, but rods as short as 8 feet can work depending on where you are fishing. Look at the lure rating of the rod - it will be in ounces and will tell you approximately how many ounces of weight your rod can cast well. I use an Okuma SST rated for up to 2 ounces, and I just baby it when I cast so I can throw up to 6 ounces no problem.